fudge

1 of 2

verb

ˈfəj 

fudged; fudging

transitive verb

1

a

: to devise as a substitute : fake

b

: falsify

fudged the figures

2

: to fail to come to grips with : dodge

fudged the issue

intransitive verb

1

: to exceed the proper bounds or limits of something

feel that the author has fudged a little on the … rules for crime fiction

—Newsweek

also : cheat

fudging on an exam

2

: to fail to perform as expected

3

: to avoid commitment : hedge

the government's tendency to fudge on delicate matters of policy

—Claire Sterling

fudge

2 of 2

noun

1

: foolish nonsense

—often used interjectionally to express annoyance, disappointment, or disbelief

2

: a soft creamy candy made typically of sugar, milk, butter, and flavoring

3

: something that is fudged

especially : a bending of rules or a compromise

Synonyms

Verb

• weasel
• shake

Noun

• nuts
• nonsense
• garbage
• drool
• rubbish
• jazz
• blah
• stupidity
• silliness
• bunk
• beans

Examples of fudge in a Sentence

Verb

Politicians have been known to fudge the issues.

The treasurer fudged the figures.

It was later discovered that the researchers had fudged their data.

Noun

We bought three kinds of fudge.

His response to these charges has been a series of denials and fudges.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The last time Tesla tried to reward and incentivize Musk, a $56 billion pay package granted in 2018 tied to revenue and market-capitalization milestones was twice nixed by a Delaware court, which ruled the company had fudged its disclosures to shareholders. —Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Marv Levy is realizing among the advantages of turning 100 is no longer having to fudge his age. —John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025

Noun

Chocolate cobbler creates layers of tender cake that are filled with pudding-like pockets of fudge. —Patricia S York, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2025

Moose Tracks ice cream features Moose Tracks fudge and peanut butter cups with vanilla ice cream. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 24 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1674, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fudge

• fudge factor
• hot fudge
• hot fudge sauce
• hot fudge sundae

Rhymes for fudge

• budge
• drudge
• frage
• grudge
• judge
• mudge
• nudge
• rudge
• sludge
• smudge
• trudge
• adjudge

Kids Definition

fudge

1 of 2 verb

ˈfəj 

fudged; fudging

1

: to change (something) in order to trick people

fudged the figures

2

: to avoid being open or direct : hedge

politicians fudging on the issues

fudge

2 of 2 noun

1

: foolish nonsense

2

: a soft creamy candy made typically of milk, sugar, butter, and flavoring